Introducing...The Beardens

Congratulations to John and Tiffany Bearden.

Married June 7, 2008

The wedding was beautiful and we were glad to be able to share this happy day with John, Tiffany, their families and our friends.

Low-Life Criminals

Who, you ask, is lower than a thief? My answer is a thief who robs a non-profit organization.

You guessed it. Big Brothers Big Sisters (my employer) was burglarized over the weekend by professionals who have hit several other offices in the area. Laptops, a safe and other electronics were stolen. Thankfully, no one was hurt and it seems that all personal information was untouched – which is a huge relief considering the number of Big/Little matches we support.

How much of a low-life do you have to be to steal from a non-profit?! Had those burglars had a mentor in their lives, this never would have happened.

Watch the Channel 8 news tonight – they were here today interviewing our CEO.

Thirty By Thirty

These pictures have nothing to do with this post. I just don't like to post without any pictures.

Now to the reason for my blog: My thirty by thirty list. I wish that I could write something profound about how I came to decide that I would have a thirty by thirty list…but I can’t. Basically, I heard about a co-worker that had done this and decided that I wanted to celebrate turning 30 in a fun, unique way and a thirty by thirty list would allow me to do that. So, here I am.

Let me get everyone to speed:
Thirty by Thirty list: A list of thirty things that I would like to do before I turn 30
Current age: 28
Date I turn the big 3-0: May 10, 2010
Time left to complete list: 1 year, 11 months and 4 days
Deadline for completing list (not tasks on list): June 30, 2008
Number of items currently on list: 18

While I intend to make an official post about this important time in my life, I can’t do that until I actually complete the list. I still need 12 more things for my list, so I am appealing to you, my blog readers (whoever you are) to offer some suggestions. Let me share with you a few that have already made my list just so that you can get an idea.

Change the oil in my car
Give Blood
Become CPR certified
Learn a ballroom dance
Visit a state I have never been
Start a family
Host a fancy dinner party at which I serve a homemade (by me!) gourmet meal

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

August 3 - Mark the date!

I can't believe that I have been blogging since March and haven't mentioned the Indianapolis Colts or Peyton Manning (oh, wait. I guess I did mention Peyton in the Romo-Simpson blog, but that really doesn't count).

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

Just kidding! I will spare you - at least until August 3, 2008. While preseason is the definition of anti-climactic, it is the official beginning of football season. And having gone half a year without football, I will take it! I am super bummed that Romo and Peyton will not be playing eachother this year. See you in the Superbowl? Fingers crossed!

And before anyone comments about how Peyton is a "sell-out" for doing commercials, might I mention that practically everyone is doing it now - including Tiger Woods who earned over $105,000,000 last year in endorsements alone while Peyton earned only $13,000,000 in endorsements. Besides, turning down easy, fun money is STUPID.

If you are interested in learning about the top-earning professional athletes, check out this link:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/specials/fortunate50/index.html

Aloha, Lance and Kyla

This past weekend Freddy and I co-hosted a Couples Shower for our friends, Lance and Kyla. The theme was Hawaiian and we had lots of fun. For those of you who don't know Lance and Kyla, or don't know them together, they are a fantastic couple. We love them very much and can't wait to celebrate their wedding with them on July 12th.

And since they went on our honeymoon, we are currently making plans to go with them on theirs. Just kidding!

Going Green

My sister, Cathy, is so cool. She is an awesome teacher - she teaches her pre-k kids via ipods. Parents can go online and listen to a podcast to find out what their children are learning. How cool is that? She also started a recycling program at her school - with her pre-k students!
Here is a link to a newspaper article about the "Green Bulldogs":
http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2008/apr/19/saving-earth/

So, being easily influenced, I have started to "go green" myself. I bought reusable grocery bags at Wal-Mart this weekend. They cost $1 each, hold WAY more groceries and have longer handles so you can carry some on your shoulder. Deal or dud? DEAL!

My latest addiction

At work, Shelby and Michelle have been talking about the tv show The Office ever since Michelle and her family discovered it on a ski trip this past Christmas. I had seen parts of an episode or two and thought that I was interested. Michelle brought me the DVD of Season 1 and told me to watch it; I would love it. I doubted her.

In exchange for The Office Season 1, I gave Michelle my copy of 8 Seconds, a movie she had never seen. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! Side note: Michelle still hasn't watched 8 Seconds. So, I popped in the DVD one night a few weeks ago and thus began my obsession with The Office.

The more Dwight in the episode, the better. He is my absolute favorite character.

Here are a few lines from my favorite episode so far, Take your daughter to work day:

Pam: I am actually looking forward to Take Your Daughter to Work day. I am not great with kids, but I want to get better. Because I'm getting married. So I put out a bunch of extra candy on my desk so the kids will come talk to me. Like the witch in Hansel and Gretel.

XXXXX

Michael Scott: Yes. It is true. I, Michael Scott, am signing up with an online dating service. Thousands of people have done it, and I am going to do it. I need a username, and... I have a great one. [types something] 'Little Kid Lover'. That way people will know exactly where my priorities are at.

If you haven't seen The Office, I highly recommend it. Go to Blockbuster and rent them in order - only 99 cents per DVD. What a bargain!